Puzzle.



PATENTED FEB. 19, 1907.

PUZZLE.

4APPLIGATIGN FILED 00T. 2, 190s.

.-Ns mams vs mns co., wAsmNcr-o/v. o. c

PUZZLE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 19, 1907.

Application iletl October 2,1906. Serial No. 337,150.

To fr/ZZ I/rI/o'm/ it lil/f/f/ fruire/'lz'.- l Be it known that I, ADOLF G. P. Ennn'r, a l citizen of the United States of America, residing at Pittsburg, in the county of Allel gheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements l in Puzzles, of which the following is a specifix cation, reference being had therein to the aci companying drawings. i

This invention relates to certain new and l useful improvements in puzzles; and the inl vention has 'for its object to provide a simple and inexpensive puzzle requiring skill to perform and solve and affording considerable amusement to persons manipulating the puzzle.

Briefly described, my improved puzzle comprises a box or casing in which a plurality of spherical bodies or balls of various sizes are placed, and to solve the puzzle the balls are to be grouped or assembled centrally of the casing within a territory designated upon the surface over which the balls travel.

The detail construction of my improved puzzle will be presentlyT described and then specifically pointed out 1n the appended. claims.

Referring te the drawings forming part of this specification7 like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, in which-A Figure 1 is a plan of 'my improved puzzle, and Fig. 2 is a cross-.sectional view of the same.

My improved puzzle is constructed of a metallic cylindrical easing or box l, upon the l bottom of which is lplaced a mirror l or a piece of material having a smooth and polished surface. Centrally of the mirror 2 is secured a circular ring or annulus 3, having a slight elevation and a toothed or serrated l edge Lt. The ring or annulus $3 forms the goal or winning territory of my improved puzzle. l

l l l l l 1n the box or casing l is placed a plurality of spherical bodies or balls 5 of various sizes. To cushion the balls 5, when striking the sides of the metallic box or casing l, l. proy vide the box or casing with a lining G, of paper or similar material. The balls are retained in the box or casing l by a transparent plate 7, retained upon the box or casing fby a rim 8, fitting snugly upon the box or casl ing l.

To assist a person to place the balls 5 in the ring or annulus 3, l provide one side thereof with a beveled entrance-plate 4L, having a notch il, in which the balls may be placed prior to entering the ring or annulus 3.

To solve the puzzle, a person manipulating the same must group or assemble the balls 5 in the annulus or ring 3 within a given time. This requires considerable skill. Therefore l. have devised two simpler objects. The 'first one is to place one ball in the annulus or ring and the remaining balls at the circumference of the box or casing l or at the circumferenee of the annulus or ring. In accomplishing this object the balls will possibly travel around the box or casing a number of times. Therefore I make it a rule of the puzzle that a person accomplishing the object with as few rounds of the balls as possible solves the puzzle first. The second object of the puzzle, which is easier than any of those above mentioned, is to arrange the balls in rotation or stepped order at the circumference of the box or casing. As the balls have very smooth surfaces and move upon a mirror it requires a very steady hand to manipulate the puzzle, especially to place one or more of the balls in the annulus or ring.

I do not wish to be understood as confining my invention to the use of a mirror as the surface en which the balls or spherical bodies travel, as any highly-polished surface will answer, and it is not absolutely essential that any other surface than the bottom of the box or casing be employed. However, a mirror is preferable, owing to the reflection of the balls being thereby given, which tends to confuse the operator and renders the solving of the puzzle more difficult.

Vhat 1 claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A puzzle consisting of a cylindrical box or casing, a mirror mounted in the bottom of said casing, mounted centrally of said mirror, balls mounted upon said mirror, a lining carried by the inner sides of said box or casing, a transparent plate mounted upon said box or casing, and a rim fitting upon said box or casing and adapted to hold said plate thereon, substantially as described.

2. A puzzle consisting of a box or casing, a mirror arranged upon the bottom thereof, a ring or annulus carried centrally of said a toothed ring or annulusl IOO mirror, a beveled entrance-plate carried by said ring or annulus and h aving a notch formed therein, balls carried by said mirror, and means to retain said balls Within said casing, substantially as described.

3. A puzzle embodying a casing, a plate into said ring by the notched inclined entrance-plate.

5. A puzzle embodying a box or casing, a

i ring on the bottom of said box or casing having a serrated periphery and having a notched inclined entrance-plate projecting beyond the body of the ring, and balls Witlin the boX adapted to be guided into the ring by said notched inclined' entrance-plate.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature the presence of two Witnesses.

ADOLF G. P. EBERT.

mounted in said casing, a ring or annulusear- I ried by said plate and having a notched entrance-plate, balls adapted to move upon I said plate, and means to retain said balls Within sail casing, substantially as described. in 4. A puzzle embodying a boX or casing l having a transparent cover, a ring on the bottom of the box or casing having a notched Witnesses: inclined entrance-plate, and balls inclosed MAX H. SRoLovITZ, Within the box or casing adapted to be guided i A. J. TRIGG. 

